Want to remove Lossless files from dual-format library, keep elsewhere

Question

Want to remove Lossless files from dual-format library, keep elsewhere

My iTunes library consists entirely of music ripped from audio CDs. Each CD was ripped twice, once in Apple Lossless format, once in AAC format.

For several reasons (chief among them the desire to free up a lot of disk space on my iMac), I want to remove the Lossless files from my iTunes library. But I want to keep all of the AAC files there as they are, along with my playlists (all based on the AAC files only).

However, for a measure of future-proofing, I still want to keep the Lossless files. And whenever I buy a CD, I want to still import it as both Lossless and AAC, keeping the Lossless files handy while adding the AAC files to the iTunes library.

I must obviously begin with an external Firewire drive big enough for my Lossless content. How do I proceeed from there?

24" iMac intel; 17" iMac G4, Mac OS X (10.4.10), I miss the desklamp design

Posted on Feb 4, 2008 1:32 PM

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Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,657 points

Feb 4, 2008 1:57 PM in response to Helicon Twist 2008

After you RIP to Lossless you can simply convert the lossless RIP'd file to AAC. This will add a new AAC file. It does not actually convert the existing file to a new format. No need to reRIP the CD.

Create a new library on the external.
Start iTunes holding the Option key.
Select *Create new library* and select the external drive.
iTunes prefs -> Advanced.
Tick *Copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library*.
Tick *Keep iTunes music folder organized*.

File -> Add to library and select the iTunes music folder where all the Lossles files currently are located (/Music/iTunes/iTunes music/.
Don't worry yet about the AAC files there .

Once all the music has copied over, create a new smart playlist.
Match rule;
Kind contains AAC.
This will select all the AAC files.

Now select all these songs and press *Option Delete*.
This removes them from the playlist AND from the library.
Click Yes to put them into the trash.

Now this new library should contain only Lossless files.
When you get a new CD, open this library (hold the Option key when starting iTunes) and RIP it to Lossless.

Quit iTunes.
Start iTunes holding the Option key and select Choose existing library and select /Music/iTunes/iTunes library.itl.
Create a new smart playlist called *Lossless files*.
Match rule;
Kind contains Lossless.
Select all the files and press *Option Delete* and Yes to put them into the trash.

Now you have 2 separate libnraries, one lossless and one no lossless files.

After you add new songs to the lossless library, open the AAC library and select File -> Add to library and pick the songs on the external which you just added.
Select the smart playlist *Lossless files* and all the files in it.
Menu Advanced -> Convert selection to AAC.
Once they are converted, *Option Delete* them from the playlist.

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Answer 2

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Feb 4, 2008 1:59 PM in response to Helicon Twist 2008

I would take this approach, but others might have better suggestions.
First, when you get your external drive, copy the entire iTunes folder to the external drive which will copy everything (media files, database files, artwork, etc.).
Assuming you use the iTunes default settings where iTunes copied added items to your iTunes folder and organizes your library (meaning - everything is all self contained in the iTunes folder), then all you have to do is drag & drop your iTunes folder (not just the iTunes Music folder you find inside the iTunes folder) to the external drive and copy the entire thing. If you want to test that it worked or would like to actually start using it from that location instead, use these instructions when you start iTunes to point it to the new location... How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447 If you are just testing, then close iTunes after you verify it works, and restart iTunes again with the same instructions and point it back to your internal drive (original) location. Now you can sort your library by "Kind" which is the format it is encoded as and all the Apple Lossless files will be grouped together. Select the first one, scroll down to the last one, Shift-Select the last one which will select all the ones in between and hit delete! Now your internal drive library is everything except Apple Lossless. If you wish, you can switch back to the external drive library and do the same for the AAC files. Now when ever you add a new CD you can do it a couple ways. But probably the most straight forward is to simply put in the CD, open the internal library, import as AAC files. Switch to the external library and import again as lossless. Patrick

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Answer 3

Feb 5, 2008 8:57 AM in response to PT

I just ordered a drive last night and should have it by week's end. I'll post back and let you know how it went. Thanks for your replies - it's good to know this is entirely doable without much effort.

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Answer 4

Feb 8, 2008 10:07 AM in response to PT

I had to modify your steps a bit, since I keep my iTunes library in the "Shared" folder. Nevertheless, I now have two libraries, one of Lossless-only on an external drive, and one of AAC-only on the iMac.

Thank you!

One more question: the "Copy Music to iTunes Folder" and "Keep iTunes Folder organized" options, how do I set these for each library? I've kept both of these checked for as long as I've used iTunes.

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